Cyrus Brown’s Prayer

The proper way for man to pray,
Said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,
And the only proper attitude,
Is down upon his knees.
No, I should say the way to pray,
Said Rev. Dr. Wise,
Is standing straight with outstretched arms,
And rapt and upturned eyes.

Oh, no, no, no! said Elder Snow,
Such posture is too proud,
A man should pray with eyes fast closed,
And head contritely bowed.
It seems to me his hands should be,
Austerely clasped in front,
With both thumbs pointing toward the ground,
Said Rev. Dr. Blunt.

Las’ year I fell in Hodgkin’s well
Head first, said Cyrus Brown
With both my heels a-stickin’ up
My head a-pointin’ down
And I made a prayer right then an’ there
Best prayer I ever said
The prayin’est prayer I ever prayed
A-standin’ on my head